Capt. John Ryle, 55

Led Narcotics Division

Services for Capt. John Ryle, 55, former commander of the Chicago Police Department`s narcotics division, will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in the chapel at 6901 W. Belmont Ave.

He died Monday in Resurrection Hospital.

In recent months, Capt. Ryle had been administrative assistant to Police Supt. LeRoy Martin. Capt. Ryle was a Chicago police officer from 1957 until he retired 19 days ago.

During his 21-year career, he served five years as director of the narcotics division, two years as leader of the financial crimes unit from 1981 to 1983 and head of the prostitution and obscene matter unit.

``He was well-liked on the department,`` said Chief of Patrol George Ruckrich. ``He was the kind of person the men liked to work for because of his enthusiasm and aggressiveness. They saw he liked the job, and it passed down to them.``

Chief Ruckrich and Capt. Ryle were classmates in the Police Academy and later served as sergeants together in the Shakespeare Area, Ruckrich said.

``We worked many crimes together because robbery and homicide ran together,`` he said. Ruckrich said his friend`s most notable quality was

``loyalty, loyalty to his men-and making sure a good job was done.``

Four years ago, before it became a fashionable issue, Capt. Ryle warned that drug dealers were using increasingly sophisticated weapons, primarily semiautomatic and automatic guns, greatly increasing the risks faced by undercover narcotics officers under Capt. Ryle`s command.

Capt. Ryle was promoted to sergeant in 1968, lieutenant in 1972 and captain in 1981.

He is survived by his wife, Janet; a son, Michael; three grandchildren; a brother; and a sister.